Truck Driver Fatigue

In the United States, commercial trucks transport about 90 percent of the products we use. Trucks deliver everything from groceries to furniture. If those truck drivers are fatigued or drowsy, they pose an immediate danger to the surrounding traffic.

If a fatigued truck driver failed to take a mandatory rest break and crashed into you, you may feel overwhelmed. The insurance companies won’t stop calling, you’re traveling to and from doctor appointments, and are trying to make up missed income due to time off of work. Stewart J. Guss and his team of skilled truck accident lawyers and legal professionals are here to help! We have more than 20 years of experience fighting trucking corporations and their insurance companies—and winning the compensation our clients need to recover from the accidents that drowsy truckers caused. Call us 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You may contact us now by CLICKING HERE to learn more about how we can help. Your initial consultation is free of charge, so don’t delay—call now!

National Trucking Accident Attorney Stewart J. Guss discusses trucking safety on national news with Mike Papantonio on America’s Lawyer

Understanding the Hours of Service Regulations

Truck drivers are professionals who are trained to drive within certain safety standards that are required by both their commercial employer and the Department of Transportation. One of the most obvious dangers of driving a commercial vehicle is the possibility of fatigue behind the wheel. Although there are strict limits for the number of hours a truck driver can consecutively be on the road, some drivers fail to observe these regulations and will continue to drive beyond the point of safety. Truck driver fatigue can cause serious accidents and severe injuries to all who are involved.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has established Hours of Service (HOS) regulations in order to keep truck drivers from operating their vehicles when they are fatigued. Commercial trucking companies are responsible for enforcing these HOS with their professional staff. These Hours of Service indicate that a driver may not operate a vehicle for more than 11 consecutive hours without taking a 10-hour break. Driving drowsy is a serious issue that is regulated by the Federal Government with the intention to reduce the number of accidents caused by fatigued drivers. Unfortunately, some truck drivers chose to ignore these regulations in order to deliver their cargo as quickly as possible. Some commercial trucking companies, although they are required by law to enforce the HOS, still encourage their drivers to continue operating their vehicles for longer than the regulations allow. When trucking companies and commercial drivers opt to ignore the Hours of Service, serious accidents can happen.

What to Do if You Suffered Injuries in a Truck Accident

If you sustained any injuries in a truck accident, there are several steps you should take. First, contact the police to report the accident. They will arrive on the scene prepared to take statements and record contact information for everyone who was involved. The police will also file an official report that determines who they believe was at fault for the accident.

Next, see a medical professional for a thorough examination. Even if you don’t immediately notice any serious injuries, it’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible. Some injuries don’t present for hours or even days after the accident. When you file your claim, the insurance companies will look to see if you have medical records documenting your injury. If they notice you delayed medical treatment, they might claim that you weren’t seriously injured, or that your injuries are not even related to the accident.

Finally, contact a law firm that you trust and want to work with. Retaining the services of an experienced legal team will be an invaluable asset as you are proceeding through the claims process. Stewart J. Guss and his legal team are ready to help you gain the maximum compensation for your damages. We are proud to advocate for our clients’ rights and have been doing so for decades.

Let Your Legal Team Deal With the Insurance Companies

One thing that you shouldn’t have to worry about after an accident is how to manage a call with the insurance companies. It’s common for a claims agent to attempt to reach you in order to record your statement regarding the accident. They might ask you to recall your version of what happened, and encourage you to describe what you think led to the accident. Although the insurance companies might seem genuinely concerned about your injuries and say that they want to help expedite your settlement, often they are actually looking for ways to invalidate your claim. For this reason, it is always a good idea to let your law firm deal directly with the insurance companies so you don’t have to worry about saying something that might potentially hurt your case. Stewart J. Guss and his legal team have managed the dialogue with insurance companies for many years, and we understand how to protect our clients right to just compensation.

Contact Our Skilled Legal Team Today

A truck accident can change your life in an instant, and the aftermath can leave you both physically and financially devastated. If you were injured in a truck accident and believe that the driver was fatigued, call a personal injury law firm right away.

At our firm, Stewart J. Guss and his legal team are dedicated to putting our clients first. Because we take all of our personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, you will not owe us a DIME unless we win your case. We are available to take your call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Contact us now to learn more about how we can help you navigate the claims process and seek just compensation for your injuries. Call us or contact us online. Don’t wait—your rights are too important and a delay could hurt your chances of recovering damages.